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September 26, 1980

The Degeneration of the Generations - Speech (1980)

General Jewish Thought Torah Umadda
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Outline

Degeneration of the Generations (1989)

I. Introduction. Reminisce: founding AOJS 40 years ago. Models of Time: Modern: Evolution. Progress. Jacques Maritain's neologism – "chronolatry." Yet, indisputable: enormous progress, exponential increase in knowledge. Kabbalah: high at Adam, again at Moses, again with Messiah But Talmud: degeneration of the generations: ירידת הדורות II. Relevance of Theme. TuM. AOJS. Role models past… – esp. Maimonides. But "Torah Only" rebuttal: what permissible to eminences of past is not necessarily available to us precisely because they so great in both intellect and spirit; they cannot serve as role models our generation because: yeridat ha-dorot, an irreversible degeneration of the generations in qualities of intellect and spirit. We are too inadequate, too weak, too vulnerable, to take risks permitted to the ancients.The theme is widespread in the popular Musar literature of past few generations. R. Hayyim of Volozhin, without explicitly citing the terms yeridat ha-dorot or nitkatnu ha- dorot, effectively endorses the idea in his conception of the irreversible constriction of halakhic freedom through the ages (see Nefesh ha-Hayyim, Part I, chapter 22).This argument effectively undercuts any effort by proponents Torah Umadda to justify point of view: either no sources to support their thesis, or if do find precedent, is disqualified because nitkatnu ha-dorot, and therefore such precedents do not apply to us.This criticism deserves to be treated seriously. Degenerative model of time--really mirror-image of modernist fallacy that all new is better than that which was--has respectable sources Jewish tradition. Is major theme in most rabbinic literature. Is based upon reverence for earlier authorities because of proximity to time of Revelation; hence superiority their traditions. Thus, Halakhah generally not permit Amoraim overrule Tannaim; once Talmud decided issue, impermissible for later authorities diverge from decision. In general, earlier authority prevails over later a…
Torah Umadda

Speech

Religion and Morality (1965)

Norman Lamm ’’RELIGION AND MORALITY," delivered on March 30, 1965 as first in a series of lectures on "The Philosophy of Synthesis" in honor of the Tenth Anniversary of Stem College for Women, Yeshiva University: The term "synthesis," which forms the major theme of this Tenth Anniversary series of lectures, is most characteristic of all that Yeshiva stands for: its ideology and its outlook upon the world. The term itself is perhaps not the most felicitous or propitious, I remember the endless debates during my years at Yeshiva as to whether or not "synthesis" is a "good" word. After we finished many of these discussions concerning nomenclature, we began to ponder the content of the concept Many of us never succeeded in obtaining an accurate Socratic definition of the term; but I think that all of us at least were able to intuit its true significance. Hence the term whatever our semantic scruples, ultimately will do "Synthesis" is more than a mere educational device by which we combine or juggle two sets of curriculum - one religious and one secular. The term also comprehends I a metaphysic, a vision of the fate and the function of the Jew in the modern world. This vision seeks to describe how the Jew can fit into the world without being absorbed by it; how he can retain his identity, his full religious and spiritual individuality, and at the same time contribute greatness and holiness to enhance and advance the general community of mankind. Furthermore, ’synthesis” is not a self-contained fact, a desideratum Which may be pursued and successfully accomplished. It does not mean that if you have gone through four years of Yeshiva or Stem that you have achieved ”synthesis.” ”Synthesis,” in the sense we shall be using the term, is a method, the manner in which you approach problems, how you orient yourself towards your Jewishness. ”Synthesis” is a way, not an accomplished and Isolated fact; a process, not an event.This evening I propose to discuss not ״synthesis” as it …
General Jewish Thought Torah Umadda

Speech

Degeneration Theory (1989)

Rabbi Lamm considers the concept of the decline of the generations.
General Jewish Thought